First gen Civic (1975) 1.5l 4spd CVCC

[M_a_t_t]

The first gen civic forum wasn't very active and now it won't even let me log in. I need some help/advice. This will be my first attempt any real restoration work and I'm trying to do my best.

Pic from the original Craigslist ad:


First hurdle: They only had one brand of drum listed on RockAuto, easy choice I thought. Well I have to transfer the wheel studs to the new drums, I bought new studs just in case I had problems with the original studs. They all came out fine, the problem is that they don't fit in the holes. Not even the threads of the stud (new ones or the original). The thread is about .012" larger than the hole. The knurled portion is .020-.030" larger than the hole. I haven't checked with the dealer yet, but everywhere else I've checked doesn't have the drums available so it seems I need to try to make these work.

What do you guys think is the best way to proceed?

Its pretty eco-oriented so I hope you guys are fine with this help me/build thread

[California98Civic]

First, I think this is a wicked cool "ecomod" idea! Keeping the old steel and plastice and making a running gas sipper out of 'em sounds great. Subscribed. Very interested.

I have never restored a car. But confronted with your plablem, I would slow down, don't force or cut anything, research, and ask people. What your doing. You mention RockAuto. What about CARiD? I went over the and entered 1973 Honda Civic and got a hit for brake drums with some specs:

https://www.carid.com/1973-honda-civ...412476769.html



EDIT: Also, HondaPartsNow seems to have 1973-1979 Civic parts schematics and such online, which might help you... maybe they have some of the parts, too... information:

[M_a_t_t]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

First, I think this is a wicked cool "ecomod" idea!

I'm not sure what you are suggesting.

Originally Posted by California98Civic

Keeping the old steel and plastice

If this is a saying I've never heard it before.

Originally Posted by California98Civic

I have never restored a car. But confronted with your plablem, I would slow down, don't force or cut anything, research, and ask people. What your doing. You mention RockAuto. What about CARiD? I went over the and entered 1973 Honda Civic and got a hit for brake drums with some specs:

EDIT: Also, HondaPartsNow seems to have 1973-1979 Civic parts schematics and such online, which might help you... maybe they have some of the parts, too... information:

I've asked some people I know for suggestions. Nothing fruitful yet.

The only ones available at CarID are the same ones that I got from RockAuto.

Here is a picture in case my description wasn't clear what the problem is.



The rear wheels were stuck when I got it so I am redoing brakes first. I bought (pretty much) everything from the master cylinder to the wheel cylinders. I've got the master cylinder off (which was frozen) and the rear brake assembly removed (including the backing plates). I'm using a combination of sand blasting and electrolysis to clean all the parts that are being reused.

The spindle cap is the same paint I will be using on the rims.



I'm still trying to figure out how to redo the center caps. This is what they are supposed to look like. I bought some "super chrome" powder coat to try. Then I am going to order some red powder coat and try it on the worst one of the bunch. I've already bought a few extra. We'll have to see how it turns out.

[me and my metro]

Is that a cvcc or a regular Civic? I remember working on both back when they were a few years old. I wonder if some Civics used 10mm studs like the 89-94 Metro did. The 12mm studs and the later disc brakes were a nice upgrade for the early Metros.

[M_a_t_t]

Originally Posted by me and my metro

Is that a cvcc or a regular Civic? I remember working on both back when they were a few years old. I wonder if some Civics used 10mm studs like the 89-94 Metro did. The 12mm studs and the later disc brakes were a nice upgrade for the early Metros.

CVCC. I just checked and it doesn't list 10mm studs for the earlier years either.

Do you have any experience with the carb on the CVCC? I've read its difficult to tune for proper performance.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by M_a_t_t

CVCC. I just checked and it doesn't list 10mm studs for the earlier years either.

Do you have any experience with the carb on the CVCC? I've read its difficult to tune for proper performance.

Me And My Metro might have a reply. My only 1975 Honda was a CB400F motorcycle. I did alright with the carbs, but it's totally different. Do you have the Honda Factory Service Manuals yet? I searched for your car online last night. The original "Shop Manual: Honda Civic, 1973-1977" for the USDM is on sale on eBay (in print) from about $20 to $70+ ... I was hoping to find a free PDF for you (and me!), but no luck. It should be about 300 pages, but I only found a shady site with a 96 page version... probably Haynes or Chilton... no bueno.

[M_a_t_t]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

Me And My Metro might have a reply. My only 1975 Honda was a CB400F motorcycle. I did alright with the carbs, but it's totally different. Do you have the Honda Factory Service Manuals yet? I searched for your car online last night. The original "Shop Manual: Honda Civic, 1973-1977" for the USDM is on sale on eBay (in print) from about $20 to $70+ ... I was hoping to find a free PDF for you (and me!), but no luck. It should be about 300 pages, but I only found a shady site with a 96 page version... probably Haynes or Chilton... no bueno.

Have you read/heard about the CVCC before?

Summary of what I've read before (might be slightly inaccurate)
It uses a 2nd smaller intake valve and a 3 barrel carb. The main 2 barrels were tuned a little lean. The third barrel is tuned a little rich (for an overall stoich-ish). This made the combustion cleaner and meant Honda didn't have to fit catalytic converters to them in California.

I have a chilton. Got it on clearance on Rockauto. I wonder if the CVCC version of the factory manual is a supplement or a complete book. The only ones that popped up initially on ebay were 1977. I might just buy both versions.

edit: I found (and bought) one that is a loose leaf version (in an original binder!). It says it covers all models 73-77. I might scan some pages in for everyone's viewing pleasure.
ETA 6/24-7/1

[M_a_t_t]

I stopped by the machine shop. He suggested I just buy a 12 mm drill bit and "not let it walk much". I stopped by a few local stores. No 12mm bit. I will have to order it online.

[rmay635703]

Why not spend a couple bucks and try the other sizes?

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...3&gclsrc=aw.ds

[M_a_t_t]

Even if it fit I'd have to buy new lugnuts. I would rather spend the money and have a metric drill set.

The holes in the drum measure ~11.64 mm. Too big for M10's unless the knurl is alot larger than the threads.